Expression of Th1 cytokines in colorectal cancer

Objective To detect the expression of the cytokines of Th cells in colorectal cancer tissues and explore the relationships between the metastasis of colorectal cancer cells and the cytokines. Methods The expression of the cytokines of Thl cells (IL-2, γ-IFN) and the cytokine of Th2 cells (IL-10) in 40 cases of colorectal cancer tissues and normal colorectal tissues was detected by RT-PCR,and the relations between the expression of the cytokines and clinical stages of colorectal cancer was analyzed. Results The expression of cytokines (IL-2, γ-IFN) in Thl cells was lower in colorectal cancer tissues (2.22 ±0.90,3.26 ± 1. 15) than in normal tissues (3.07 ± 1.67,4.77 ± 1.52) , while that of the cytokine (IL-10) in Th2 cells was higher in colorectal cancer tissues (6.06 ±2.04) than in normal colorectal tis sues (4. 88 ± 1.87) (all P < 0.05). The expression of IL-10 in colorectal cancer tissues with Duke' s C-D stages (5.44±1.68) was higher than in those with Duke' s A-B stages (4.08 ± 1.73) , while that of IL-2 and γ-IFN in colorectal cancer tissues with Duke' 9 C-D stages (2. 70 ± 1. 30,2. 73 ± 0. 95) was lower than in those with Duke' s A-B stages (3.75 ±1.46,4.39 ± 1.99) (P <0.05). Conclusion The ratio of Th1/Th2 is lower in colorectal cancer tissues than in normal tissues,and the regional immunity of colorectal cancer is inhibited,which may be related to the metastasis of colorectal cancer. Key words: Colorectal carcinoma;  IL-2;  IL-10;  γ-IFN;  RT-PCR